Women Share Stories of Assault and Abuse on #WhenIWas

#WhenIWas is a heart-breaking thread of intimate, painful stories, but are stories that should none the less be heard.

The hurt can start at an early age, simply with something such as “Oh, he likes you!” (Note: please don’t do this to your kids, Seriously, don’t. It just makes it okay for boys to hurt women on the pretense of “liking” her.)

#WhenIWas 7 I was told that boys hit and pushed me at recess because they liked me

— King Kay (@mikaylalogan01) April 19, 2016

Being on the streets can be a high-risk experience for a young girl. Don’t you dare tell me they’re to blame.

#WhenIWas 9 my breasts started to grow. A week later boys/men began commenting on and asking to see them. I didn’t even know what they were.

— Sarah Le Blanc (@LadyMirtazapine) April 19, 2016

#whenIwas 8 a man without pants stopped his car next to me and asked if I liked what I saw as he was masturbating.

— Rydia (@disassociation) April 19, 2016

My first meet with sexual harassment happened #WhenIWas barely 6. A man waving his tool towards me in public. @EverydaySexism

— Bespectacled Indian (@BespectacledInd) April 19, 2016

And things don’t get any better in school.

#wheniwas at school girls weren’t allowed to wear our PE kit to lessons cos the short gym skirts were “distracting for the male teachers”

— shit face (@pipsuxx) April 19, 2016

#whenIwas in 14 a teaching priest told us in class that rape is impossible as “a letter can’t be posted if the letterbox isn’t open”.

— Sadhbh (@Sadhbhzilla) April 19, 2016

#Wheniwas in HS, I was sexually harassed. Counsellor told me to show school spirit: if offenders were suspended, the hockey team wld lose.

— Permanent Side Eye (@sarahkerr81) April 19, 2016

Trust is shattered when the assault happens right at home, with people you think will be the last people to do these things to you.

#wheniwas about 9, an older man (50+) at a family gathering told me to greet my elder with a kiss, he then forced his tongue into my mouth.

— Gadi (@AfroMatriarch) April 19, 2016

#whenIwas 11 my uncle tried to grope me grabbed my hands and pushed me against the wall, only stopped when his wife showed up with their 3yo

— veronica (@mythicalbi) April 19, 2016

#WhenIWas 5, I was sexually assaulted till I was 8, by a close family member. Still overcoming it and trying to be okay.

— Leeah the Spoonie (@POTSiePrincess_) April 19, 2016

When the very figures of authority who should be protecting you turn their backs on you and say it’s your fault, this is victim-blaming.

#WhenIWas 16 on a school trip I was drugged by a man at a hostel. He attempted to rape me. Police said I was old enough to know better.

— Lydia Hulme (@EllesieBean) April 19, 2016

#WhenIWas 17 I was told in court that theres no way I was raped as I wasnt deemed attractive by my rapist. Tell me we don’t need feminism.

— am (@_xalana) April 19, 2016

Some women can’t even bring themselves to tell their story, with the pain still too fresh — and understanding full well the social repercussions of speaking out.

Mainly for the fear that I would get people into trouble and I don’t want that because I’d be made to feel like it’s my fault

— Georgia (@negansgirI) April 19, 2016

I wonder how many times women have written and deleted a tweet for the #WhenIWas hashtag. I’m on three times and I still can’t do it.

— Freya (@freyadowson) April 19, 2016

Rape culture still exits. This needs to stop.